Sports targeting system

ABSTRACT

An improved sports targeting apparatus for use with a support structure is provided. The improved sports targeting apparatus has different sized openings each opening having a pocket for receiving a sports object such as a hockey puck or a ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an improved sports targeting system and more particularly to an improved sports targeting system used for hockey, baseball and lacrosse. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a sports targeting system, which is easily installed and is effective and durable. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method of playing a game using the improved sports targeting system.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] A number of sports require a player to direct a sports object, such as a baseball, hockey puck or a lacrosse ball to a predetermined location. The predetermined location is relevant to scoring in that particular sport. In order to improve the ability to score, it is necessary for the player to practice placing the sports object into the predetermined location.

[0005] Many prior art devices provide for sports targeting systems. More specifically, there have been various attempts at providing sports targeting systems with the aim of assisting perfection of a player's ability to direct a sports object into predetermined locations. Many sports targeting systems require that a goal, such as a hockey goal, or other freestanding structure be used in conjunction therewith.

[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,243 to Grispi teaches a hockey target consisting of a vertical board having a plurality of openings. The openings are directed through the board into a net of a hockey goal to which the board is attached. Similarly, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,141,396 to McCarrel, publicly available on Jun. 13, 1996 provides a sports target system composed of flexible targets attached to resilient stretchable cords which are attached to a backdrop having a net (i.e. a hockey goal). Canadian Patent No. 1,227,818 to Newell et al., publicly available on Oct. 6, 1987 and Canadian Patent No. 1,070,346 to Griggs, et al., publicly available on Jan. 22, 1980 both provide target apparatuses secured to the openings of standard hockey goals. Finally, Canadian Patent Application Number 2,168,200 to Campbell, publicly available on Jul. 27, 1997 provides a sports target apparatus attached to either a free standing frame or an existing goal.

[0007] The disadvantage of such prior art devices is that they can only be assembled on structures having a net. This lack of flexibility in assembling such devices is a disadvantage in cases where such a structure is not available. In some cases, players, particularly children, may practice by shooting against garage doors. The prior art devices provided above cannot be used in such situations, as these devices cannot easily be attached to a garage doorframe or other similar structure. Even if these devices could be easily attached to the garage doorframe, the door itself may become damaged due to the impact of the hard ball or hard puck shot or thrown against it. Furthermore, the noise associated with the impact of the hard ball or puck against the garage door is annoying to those people in the vicinity of the player. Other prior art devices have been devised in order to overcome the above-noted problems. For example, Canadian Patent Application Number 2,118,256 to Bruhn, publicly available on Apr. 18, 1996, teaches a sheet of rubberized fabric which is stretched between outer edges of a door jam casing of a garage by flexible elastomeric cords. Such prior art devices can be used with garage doors, garage doorway openings and the like.

[0008] When using such prior art devices, the door is protected from the impact and the sound of any impact is reduced. However, these devices do not allow for any accurate scoring based on hitting targets on the surface of the sports target. More specifically, there is no means by which a game could be played in which scoring is accomplished by accurately determining whether a player has hit a target.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved sports targeting system which is easily and quickly assembled, easily and quickly disassembled and easily stored.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved sports targeting system which does not damage the structure to which it is attached.

[0011] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved sports targeting system which improves a player's skill level and in particular, the player's hand-to-eye coordination.

[0012] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an improved sports targeting system which improves a player's skill level and hand-to-eye coordination by requiring that player to hit a plurality of strategically placed targets.

[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of playing a game with accurate scoring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] To this end, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides an improved sports targeting system which is very easy to assemble, dissasemble and maintain, is easy to use and is effective in improving the skills of players of the sport to which the sports target system is directed. Furthermore, the invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art noted above.

[0015] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sports target apparatus which is removably connectable to a support structure, comprising a flexible impact resistant target-containing sheet having a front target surface; means for attaching the impact resistant target-containing sheet to the support structure so that the front target surface of the target-containing element is presented facing a player; at least one target on the front target surface on the target containing sheet; and at least one opening in the front target surface located near the target, the at least one opening having a pocket to define a pocketed enclosure rearward of the at least one opening adapted to receive a sports object.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is also provided a method of playing a game using a sports target apparatus removably connected to a support structure, the sports target apparatus comprising a flexible impact resistant target-containing sheet having a front target surface; means for attaching the impact resistant target-containing sheet to the support structure so that the front target surface of the target-containing element is presented facing two or more players; a target on the front target surface on the target containing sheet; and two or more openings in the front target surface located near the target, the two or more openings being of different sizes, each two or more openings having a pocket to define a pocketed enclosure rearward of the at least one opening adapted to receive an sports object; wherein the game is played by having each of the two or more players take turns attempting to direct the sports object into the two or more openings being of different sizes, each two or more openings being of different sizes having different numerical values, until one player reaches a predetermined numerical value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention secured to a garage door.

[0019]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided an improved sports targeting apparatus 10 attached to garage doorframe 11 so as to have a space between garage door 11 a and sports targeting apparatus 10. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that another type of support structure could be used with sports targeting apparatus 10 such as a playground fence, a pair of upright goal posts or the like. A typical garage door is made using a frame 8 feet by 7 feet or 16 feet by 7 feet in the case of a double garage and the apparatus 10 has been designed with such dimensions in mind. However, in can be designed to accommodate any size of garage door. As shown in FIG. 1, sports targeting apparatus 10 is provided with a target-containing element or flexible sheet 15. It is preferred that flexible sheet 15 be made of material that is durable, impervious to the elements, has low cold crack, has high tensile strength, requires low maintenance and is sufficiently heavy to hang properly. Materials that can be used include waterproof cotton canvas, polyester, nylon, polyethylene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) coated polyester scrim, neoprene, vinyl sheeting or the like. Preferably, water proof cotton canvas material can be used that consists of water-proof 100% single-filled cotton with a wax coating which is water and rot resistant (e.g. DI2T™ Canvas made by Inland Plastic Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario). Preferably, the polyester material can be used that consists of polyester flag and banner material (e.g. Oxford, Taffeta, or IP-18E™ made by Inland Plastic Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario). The preferable nylon material which can be used consists of all types of nylon (e.g. Dacron™). The preferred polyethylene material that can be used consists of high density polyethylene woven fabric base complete with a low density coating (e.g. Polyfabric™ made by Inland Plastic Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario). The PVC coated polyester scrim material that can be used preferably consists of a dimensionally stable fibre that will not stretch or shrink, has a very high tear strength, and has low cold crack (e.g. IP10B72™ FR Banner Fabric, made by Inland Plastic, Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario). Finally, the neoprene material which can be used preferably consists of woven nylon fabric. It is most preferable that 13 to 16 ounce, PVC coated polyester scrim material be used. This is preferred as it is durable, is impervious to the elements, has low cold crack, has excellent printability, is inexpensive, is sufficiently heavy to hang properly and has high tensile strength.

[0023] Sheet 15 is preferably a one-piece PVC coated polyester scrim as noted above and, more preferably, is sized to fit standard garage doorframes, (e.g. 8 feet by 7 feet or in the case of double garages, 16 feet by 7 feet). One of the significant advantages of the present invention is that the polyester scrim may be used with standard garage doorframes and double garage doorframes and in fact any garage doorframe of any size without changing the dimensions of the polyester scrim. As explained hereinafter, the method of attachment of the polyester scrim to the garage doorframes accommodates doorframes of any size.

[0024] As seen in FIG. 1, on forward portion 20 of flexible sheet 15 there is provided sports FIG. 25 which is permanently printed on sheet 15. Several methods of permanently printing sports FIG. 25 on sheet 15 are well known in the art. Some of the preferred methods of printing include screen printing, direct digital printing, transferred digital printing, hand painting, airbrush printing, and vinyl PVS graphics printing. Screen printing which utilizes four colours is the preferred method due to its cost effectiveness, its realistic imagery, and its rapid, large quantity reproduction rate. Screen printing is also preferred as it is able to accommodate life size dimensions of sports FIG. 25.

[0025] The preferred inks to be used in the printing process consist of UV inks, multi-purpose inks, vinyl plus inks and gloss vinyl inks. The most preferred ink to be used in the printing process is a gloss vinyl ink due to its superior adherence, durability, life expectancy and its excellent match to polyester scrim.

[0026] The printing process can be used to reproduce several types of sports figures on sheet 15. In a preferred embodiment, sports FIG. 25 is a graphical representation of a hockey goaltender (see FIG. 1). Other preferred embodiments consist of a lacrosse goalie 51 and a baseball batter 60, (see FIGS. 2 and 3). It will be understood that other sports figures characteristic of other sports could also be used (i.e. soccer goalie or the like). One of the attractive features of the apparatus of the present application is that the sports figures may be depicted based on realism and with life-like dimensions.

[0027] Sheet 15 is also provided with openings 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d and 30 e directed through the forward wall 20. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that any size and combination of openings can be provided in sheet 15. In addition, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that additional openings may be provided or openings may be deleted.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, openings 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d and 30 e are positioned around hockey goaltender 25 so as to provide a variety of targets at which a player can aim and shoot. As shown in FIG. 1, the openings 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d and 30 e are each of a different size and shape. This is also to provide a player with varying levels of difficulty. The smaller the target, the greater the skill the player must have in which to place a projectile through the opening.

[0029] Each of openings 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d and 30 e are provided with pocket 35 fixedly attached to rear surface 40 of sheet 15. Pocket 35 can made of material that is durable, adheres well to the material of sheet 15 and has low cold crack. For example, pocket 35 can consist of material similar to that used for sheet 15 or, additionally, can consist of nylon mesh netting or PVC coated woven polyester scrim mesh. The PVC coated woven polyester scrim mesh is preferred due to the variety of colour choices available, its durability, its ability to adhere well to the material of sheet 15, its low cold crack properties and its aesthetic appeal.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, pockets 35 are attached to rear surface 40 and corresponds to openings 30 a and 30 c. Similarly, other pockets 35 are attached to rear surface 40 and correspond to openings 30 b and 30 d. Pocket 35 can consist of a solid material or an inlaid mesh so as to form a pocket into which a hockey puck or ball can gather once a player has shot or thrown the hockey puck or ball through one of the openings 30 a or 30 c. A player shoots or throws a hockey puck or ball at one opening 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d or 30 e so that the puck or ball goes through the opening and into pocket 35. Pocket 35 arrests the puck or ball so that it does not strike the garage door 11 a or so that it does not return to the player. The puck or ball merely comes to rest in pocket 35. Such an opening with pocket 35 allows for accurate scoring when two players are playing a game in accordance with the present invention, as will be described later in the disclosure. Pocket 35 prevents the hockey puck or ball from impacting with garage door 11 a. As there is no impact by the puck or ball on garage door 11 a, the hockey pucks or balls do not damage garage door 11 a and produce significant less noise.

[0031] Sheet 15 is provided with eyelets or grommets 45 a, 45 b, 45 c, and 45 d that are located around the periphery of sheet 15. Grommets 45 a, 45 b, 45 c, and 45 d are of standard construction well known in the art. For example, the corner grommets may have a four corner hole re-enforcement structure, well known in the art. They may also consist of metal grommets. The metal grommets are preferred due to their low cost. As would be obvious to a person skilled in the art, the periphery of sheet 15 can be folded over or otherwise strengthened to increase its durability. A person skilled in the art will also understand that any combination of grommeting which adequate fixes sheet 15 to a garage doorframe 11 in front of garage door 11 a would be obvious. Sheet 15 can be attached to the garage doorframe 11 and held taut by static cords 50 a, 50 b, 50 c and 50 d. Static cords 50 a, 50 b, 50 c and 50 d are respectively secured to grommets 45 a, 45 b, 45 c, and 45 d of sheet 15 and also secured in or to garage doorframe 11 by conventional fastener means well known in the art. Static cords 50 a, 50 b, 50 c and 50 d may consist of nylon rope or bands, cotton bands, bungee cords, shock cords, static cords, straps made of a hook and loop material, twisted polypropylene rope, seat belt webbing or heavy duty rubber tarp straps. Preferably, the heavy duty rubber tarp straps are natural rubber with U.V.1. additives having hooks installed. Static cord is preferred due to its cost, durability and ease of adjustment for a variety of garage door sizes. In the case of a standard garage doorframe, no static cord is required since the fastener means as explained hereinafter are used to secure the sheet 15 to the garage doorframe. The conventional fastener means for attaching the flexible cords to the garage doorframe are well known in the art and can consist of galvanized hooks, eyelets or metal hooks with vinyl covering. The preferred fastener means are metal hooks with vinyl coating due to their durability, ease of installation and their aesthetic appeal. Preferably, the fastener means can screw into garage doorframe 11 and be removed for easy assembly and dissassembly of the sports targeting apparatus 10.

[0032] The sheet 15 can be assembled in front of a garage door by attaching static cords 50 a, 50 b, 50 c and 50 d to the garage doorframe 11 by way of conventional fastener means (not shown) so that forward wall 20 with goaltender 25 is facing away from the garage door 11 a and towards a player.

[0033] Once sheet 15 is attached to garage doorframe 11, the player can aim, shoot or throw a hockey puck or a ball at the canvas 15 in order to place the hockey puck or the ball through the openings 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d and 30 e and into pockets 35.

[0034]FIGS. 2 and 3 provide other preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, there is provided a lacrosse goaltender 51 on forward surface 20. There is provided openings 55 a, 55 b and 55 c with netting 35 similar in structure and function to openings 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d and 30 e of FIG. 1. In the case of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, the player will be a lacrosse player instead of a hockey player.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, there is provided a batter 60 on forward surface 20. There is provided openings 65 a, 65 b and 65 c with netting 35 similar in structure and function to openings 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d and 30 e of FIG. 1. In the case of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the person playing the game will imagine that they are a baseball pitcher instead of a hockey player.

[0037] With the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3 attached to a garage door 11, there is also provided a method of playing a game in which the openings are assessed at point value depending on the size and shape of the opening. In general, the smaller the opening, the greater the point value. For example as shown in FIG. 1, the two large openings, 30 a and 30C will have a specified point value. The two smaller openings will have a greater specified point value. A numerical value will be predetermined and the players will take turns shooting or throwing the hockey puck, lacrosse ball or baseball at the various targets to amass points. Once a player reaches the predetermined value a winner is declared.

[0038] A person skilled in the art will understand that the sports targeting device could be easily configured for additional sports that require similar skills.

[0039] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since no modification and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents will be resorted to following within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A sports target apparatus for being removably connected to a support structure, comprising a flexible impact resistant target-containing sheet having a front target surface; means for attaching the impact resistant target-containing sheet to the support structure so that the front target surface of the target-containing sheet is presented facing a player; a target on the front target surface of the target-containing sheet; and at least one opening in the front target surface located near the target, the at least one opening having a pocket to define a pocketed enclosure rearward of the at least one opening adapted to receive a sports object.
 2. The sports target apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible impact resistant target-containing sheet is selected from the group consisting of water proof cotton canvas, polyester, nylon, polyethylene, PVC coated polyester scrim, neoprene and vinyl sheeting.
 3. The sports target apparatus of claim 2 wherein the flexible impact resistant target-containing sheet is PVC coated polyester scrim, neoprene and vinyl sheeting.
 4. The sports target apparatus of claim 3 wherein the support structure is a garage doorframe.
 5. The sports target apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for attaching the impact resistant target-containing sheet consists of at least one static cord having a first end attached to the impact resistant target containing sheet and a second end attached to fastening means located in or on the garage doorframe.
 6. The sports target apparatus of claim 5 wherein the fastening means consists of galvanized hooks, eyelets or metal hooks with vinyl covering and the at least one flexible cord consists of nylon rope, nylon band, cotton band, bungee cord, shock cord, static cord, a strap made from hook and loop fasteners, twisted polypropylene rope, seat belt webbing or heavy duty rubber tarp strap.
 7. The sports target apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target consists of a hockey goalie.
 8. The sports target apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target consists of a lacrosse goalie.
 9. The sports target apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target consists of a baseball batter.
 10. A method of playing a game using a sports target apparatus removably connected to a support structure, the sports target apparatus comprising a flexible impact resistant target-containing sheet having a front target surface; means for attaching the impact resistant target-containing sheet to the support structure so that the front target surface of the target-containing element is presented facing two or more players; a target on the front target surface on the target-containing sheet; and two or more openings in the front target surface located near the target, the two or more openings being of different sizes, each two or more openings having a pocket to define a pocketed enclosure rearward of the two or more openings, the pocketed enclosure adapted to receive a sports object; wherein the game is played by having each of the two or more players take turns directing the sports object into the two or more openings being of different sizes, each two or more openings being of different sizes having different numerical values, each player receiving the numerical value of one of the two or more openings once the player directs the sports object into the pocket enclosure of the opening, until one player reaches a predetermined numerical value.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the flexible impact resistant target-containing sheet is selected from the group consisting of water proof cotton canvas, polyester, nylon, polyethylene, PVC coated polyester scrim, neoprene and vinyl sheeting.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the flexible impact resistant target containing sheet is PVC coated polyester scrim, neoprene and vinyl sheeting.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the support structure is a garage doorframe.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the means for attaching the impact resistant target-containing sheet consists of at least one static cord having a first end attached to the impact resistant target containing sheet and a ground end attached to hooking means attached to fastening means located in or on the garage doorframe.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the fastening means consists of galvanized hooks, eyelets or metal hooks with vinyl covering and the at least one flexible cord consist of nylon rope, nylon band, cotton band, bungee cord, shock cord, static cord, strap made from hook and loop fastners, twisted polypropylene rope, seat belt webbing or heavy duty rubber tarp strap.
 16. The method of claim 10 wherein the target consists of a hockey goalie.
 17. The method of claim 10 wherein the target consists of a lacrosse goalie.
 18. The method of claim 10 wherein the target consists of a baseball batter. 